Welcome to Saltillo sign is a family affair

SALTILLO – A quarter century after the city of Saltillo’s first welcome sign was erected, it’s been restored to its original condition.
In the late 1980s, Jim Warren and Robert Warren, two prominent Saltillo businessmen, along with the Saltillo Women’s Club, made donations to allow the city to erect its first sign.
The sign simply says, “Welcome to Saltillo,” in blue and black letters.
“It’s the only welcome sign Saltillo has ever had,” said Alderwoman Jewell Webb. “We wanted to make sure it was taken care of and looks nice.”
Now, Jim Warren’s son-in-law and business partner, Wayne Dixon, and Robert Warren’s son, Charles Warren, have donated the money to restore the weathered sign.
Webb worked with the two men to make sure the sign, on the corner of Highway 145 and Mobile Street, was repaired. Her husband, W.K. Webb, was the mayor when the original sign was erected in 1987.
“My father really believed in the community of Saltillo and he loved it,” said Charles Warren. “The city really meant a lot to him and I believe in Saltillo, too.
“He passed away some years ago and this is for his memory.”
Dixon moved to the city in 1987 where he worked in contracting with Jim Warren.
“I wanted to do it in honor of his memory and in honor of Saltillo,” Dixon said. “He was more like a father than a father-in-law.”
Sisters Lisa Roberts and Kim Westhouse donated their time to paint sign, using the same style as the original.
Webb said if the city ever decides to erect a new sign with a different logo, the board of aldermen agreed the current sign will be considered a historical marker and moved to a public location like the city park.
jb.clark@journalinc.com